Anyone ever try putting in an N54 motor?

[big6power]

Has anyone ever try or even thought of putting an N54 (the 3.5 twin-turbo motor out of a late 2000s model BMW) into an e28. I am thinking about attempting it. If anyone has tried or succeeded in doing this and has any tips or knows if it would even fit any advice or input would be great.

[turbodan]

I can think of several reasons why not. Cost is probably number one. Doesn't really make sense either.

[Kyle in NO]

Completely senseless swap unless you just want to do it to be different. You can get just as much or more power out of turbocharging any e28 engine, without the electronics nightmare. It's not like you can just swap the engine without all of the other ancillary parts like modules and instrument cluster.

[grahamular]

Has anyone ever try or even thought of putting an N54 (the 3.5 twin-turbo motor out of a late 2000s model BMW) into an e28. I am thinking about attempting it. If anyone has tried or succeeded in doing this and has any tips or knows if it would even fit any advice or input would be great.

N57 3.0 diesel twin-turbo would be a more interesting swap. I bet it's probably already been done by a crazy enthusiast in a Nordic country somewhere...

-Graham

[Lucas_Roehr]

Possibly the worst engine ever built.

[slammin_e28]

Has anyone ever try or even thought of putting an N54 (the 3.5 twin-turbo motor out of a late 2000s model BMW) into an e28. I am thinking about attempting it. If anyone has tried or succeeded in doing this and has any tips or knows if it would even fit any advice or input would be great.

N57 3.0 diesel twin-turbo would be a more interesting swap. I bet it's probably already been done by a crazy enthusiast in a Nordic country somewhere...

-Graham

This.

N54s blow. If you want 24 valves, slam in an M52 and tarbo it.

[unt0uchable]

It's good to see some opinions on the N54. I have a buddy who raves about his 335i or whatever it is. He keeps saying "Why not swap in an N54?"....now I see. Anyone care to explain why the engines got a bad rap?

[Cactus]

You can, however, make it work with an aftermarket ECU and you'll have to tune from scratch, and figure out how to drive the direct injection, which I don't think any aftermarket ecu supports out of the box. You can do anything if you have the budgt and the know how. The fact that you're asking is probably good enough reason that you shouldn't. Somebody loaded an s85 into an e30, this is possible.

[slammin_e28]

Anyone care to explain why the engines got a bad rap?

They carbon up and need to have the intake taken off to be walnut blasted.

Electric waterpumps that are ~$500 parts alone.

Various other reasons.

[Cactus]

Anyone care to explain why the engines got a bad rap?

They carbon up and need to have the intake taken off to be walnut blasted.

Electric waterpumps that are ~$500 parts alone.

Various other reasons.

They make electric water pumps for generic applications that are far cheaper, and you can eliminate the need to clean the intake ports by fitting a catch can and a filter to the PCV.

Still though, any power you could get out of one of these you could also see from an M30 for less money.

[Lucas_Roehr]

Bolts fall off. Literally. Not the main cylinder head bolts, but the ones around the front cover to cylinder head literally break off an piss oil everywhere. Valve cover bolts fall off. Oil pan bolts fall off. The 335i is fantastically disappointing. It's a pretty quick car, but when you weigh in all of the components that make it do what it does, it's not that impressive. Perhaps the low load fuel consumption and cleanliness is a bragging point. Also, the early ones have some terrible lifter problems.

How is one planning to run the engine management for such a complex engine?

[TonkaTruck]

I've had an N54 for 65k. I did the Walnut Blasting, OCC, Electric water pump, Valve cover and gasket. I think it's a great motor and believe its been awarded a few awards.


But I agree making an M30 FI would make more sense.

[delorean175]

I love the idea but agree the electronics would be a pain in the ass. Plus there are cheaper and better engines that would be good candidates for a FI setup. My wife's x3 has an n52, it's basically the n54 NA brother. I love driving it, it has a really nice torque curve. But it uses aluminum one time use TTY bolts. head bolts snap, valve cover bolts snap, other random bolts snap. It's annoying but would be an engine I wish I could swap in my e28, if the price was right. I think the m54 would be the best swap, even NA.

I didn't realize how old this thread was until after I posted. Lol

[euroclassicmotors]

Hi,


I have several customers at the shop with 335i.
The complication from electronic stand point may
cause a serious depression...and financially maintaining
a second mortgage starting from the variable fuel pump
thru the electrical water pump...

I do like the idea of Aluminum block as the E28
needs the lighter nose...and the power is really
nice from N54 but not worth to take the negatives.

I see nothing wrong with M52 2.5 or 2.8 with a turbo
very lightly more weight over the N54 but I am sure
you are not earning your coin by racing for the last
tenth of a tenth.., do you ?

If you don't, then get yourself a nice junk yard M5X
put it on stand, parts are dirt cheap for this engines and
put a nice turbo and I promise you will surprise a lot
of those 335i with nearly zero issues just drive and
enjoy the cast iron rigid block, look for those with the
Vanos.

Or: Another nice option is get 3.0 M54 from X5 2003
this is a much much better and simpler engine from
electronic stand point to gain the aluminum block and
reduced weight.

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards
Anri

[duggi]

First: yes, a complete nightmare. The engines after the m54 are just so heavily reliant on the other computer modules to operate that popping one in with just an ECU is no longer even remotely a thing, disregarding all the other classic challenges with an engine conversion/upgrade. That said, it has been done in the e30 world...and if you can do it to an e30, you can do it to an e28. Just depends on how much money and time you want to throw at it.

Second: those of you who are saying you can produce just as much power with an m30 + turbo are being a bit obtuse. OF COURSE you can make similar PEAK horsepower with a turbo m30, but overall drivability is going to be a mess (unless you spend as much on tuning and custom-fab as you would on an n54 install) and your power curves aren't going to be nearly as useable across the entire rev-range and your gas mileage is going to be abysmal. It's not fair to try to compare any m30, no matter how well-built-and-tuned, to a modern BMW power plant. It's a simply case of more technology and refinement. It's like saying, "why hire a modern Human when you can use a Neanderthal? It's the same size and shape."

Third: All BMW engines have been considered "crap" by enthusiasts during their production period, so don't pay any heed to these naysayers who say they're not reliable or made with cheap bolts. Remember that most BMWs these days are purchased on lease, driven hard/improperly, and maintained rather poorly, so that flavors the opinions a LOT. I'm sure, like almost any BMW, a well-cared for engine will last a long-time. For example, the fuel-injected m30s always idled like crap until someone figured out how to fix the problem in 2005-ish

Fourth: when it comes down to it, you really have to ask yourself two questions about a swap like this, and ask them hard: (1) What is the goal and is it worth the considerable expense to you personally? Ask this knowing that you'll never sell it for even close to what you put into it. AND (2) what type of accelerated wear is the already ~35 year-old chassis going to experience with such a powerful engine, and more importantly, can it take it? The e28 chassis is already known for separation at the welds between the roof and the B-pillar in unmodified M5s, as well as a litany of other structural weaknesses compared to the cars the n54 was designed for; a swap like this should factor in any necessary chassis repairs and/or reinforcements if you want the vehicle to last AND to be able to enjoy the added power.

[gaza01]

I actually own a n54 for the last 5 years so can put things into context. The block and internal are bullet proof...its all the add ons that cause issues. Water pump, thermostat, PAS pump, high pressure fuel pump, turbos, coils and injectors that let the car down considerably. BMW improved on these things with the n55. That aside the engine is good for circa 60k miles before you start seeing any of these common issues and yes by today’s standards 60k is nothing.
BUT....the power! Stock they put out 300bhp and peak torque from 2.5k. With a tune alone you are good for around 370. Add some bolt ons and inlets you are at about 460. Add hybrid turbos and you actually create an engine with more potential than the dme can fuel. People are running 500-600bhp with rod bending torque. Maps have to but set up to limit torque in lower gear to preserve engine life but once set up right the stock block and internals are fine with the circa 100% increase in power.

So yes reliability by todays standards isn’t great at all but people buy them now knowing this and are prepared to fork out on the maintenance in exchange for all the power that can be made available for ‘relatively’ simple and cheap mods. I don’t think a m30 turbo compares but i do think it will be money better spent compared to doing an engine swap to a n54.

[athayer187]

Here's my take - please tackle this if you have what it takes to complete, it will be epic.

I agree that it will be difficult and expensive, but who are any of us to get in the way of a dream!

[kodachrome]

Related to this thread, an update: the electrics and control in a swap scenario for the N54 (and seemingly the N52, which is a more advanced engine) is now mostly sorted:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Swap-Con ... 8ce051d8b8


I've been looking at pros and cons of what engine to swap in RHD E28 M30. The M62B44 I have option on is a great engine but the manual parts are now absurd pricing, with original 420g or with PMC made adapter plates plus a cheaper gearbox. Flywheel and clutch also silly money.

The N54 however bolts up to the common big diesel gearbox (GS6-53DZ), aftermarket support on the N54 is huge.


If it's a concern a safer (for chassis) option would be the N52 3.0 NA.


PS: I've had two cars with the N52 engine over the past 6years and had none of the crazy problems listed above. I still know the current owner of my last one and it's all good.

[Linus28]

Hello everyone, I am doing this swap right now. -87 M535i.
The project has been ongoing 2 years now, and in a few weeks ill drop the N54 in. The reason for 2 year build is i stripped the car into a bare shell and rebuild everything and just got it painted.
Horsepower range im aiming for is 450-550, its going to be my summer daily driver.

Greetings From Finland (Yes someone was right, some idiot in a nordic country will do this)
/Linus

[CanadianMiniFan]

Third: All BMW engines have been considered "crap" by enthusiasts during their production period, so don't pay any heed to these naysayers who say they're not reliable or made with cheap bolts. Remember that most BMWs these days are purchased on lease, driven hard/improperly, and maintained rather poorly, so that flavors the opinions a LOT. I'm sure, like almost any BMW, a well-cared for engine will last a long-time. For example, the fuel-injected m30s always idled like crap until someone figured out how to fix the problem in 2005-ish

I realize this is an ancient thread that’s just been resurrected, but I’m curious about the idle problem fix you mention. Most idle threads discuss sensitivity to vacuum leaks, injector cleaning and general tuneup advice, but in terms of a fix, that’s less discussed. Are you talking about aftermarket chips having better idle control? Or is there some other fix you’re referencing. Thanks!

[AndyHem00]

 

I have done a n54 single turbo converted e28. Very fun and has been very reliable for the past year driven hard everyday. 
 

[turbodan]

Very nice. That is a top tier sleeper.